Helicopter boost for Helmand troops

The first RAF Merlin helicopter has arrived in Afghanistan as the vanguard of reinforcements to the heavily-stretched air support for British troops.

After being reassembled and tested at Camp Bastion in southern Helmand Province, the aircraft will take to the skies on missions within weeks, the Ministry of Defence said.

The full deployment of Merlins from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire - reportedly six in total - is due to arrive in Afghanistan by the end of the year.

The helicopters, which can carry up to 20 people, will be used for tasks including moving troops and equipment around Helmand and resupplying bases.

The deployment of the Merlins follows heated debate about whether British commanders in Afghanistan have enough helicopters at their disposal amid criticism that troops have been killed and wounded after being forced to travel by land.

The Merlins have undergone a £42.5 million upgrade programme since returning from operations in Iraq to prepare them for the different conditions encountered in Afghanistan, in particular high altitudes and very wide ranges of temperature. Concerns have been raised about the level of armour on the Merlins, and work to improve the protection offered is under way.

Retired Army officer Captain Doug Beattie welcomed the arrival of the first Merlin in Afghanistan and said the lack of helicopters had hampered British operations there during the past three-and-a-half years.

"The introduction of the first Merlin helicopter to Afghanistan and Helmand will give an added dimension to military operations and will help increase the manoeuvre capability of the British soldiers," he said.

Capt Beattie, who served in Afghanistan with the Royal Irish Regiment and now writes about the conflict, said the Merlin helicopter would help British troops operate against the enemy "and make them control Helmand in a far better way than they have been doing".

Armed forces minister Bill Rammell said: "We recognise the importance of helicopters for operations in Afghanistan. The deployment of the Merlin helicopters is evidence of our ongoing commitment to increase capacity and further improvements to helicopter capability in Afghanistan will follow over the next 12 months."